Etchells Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher provides outstanding leadership.

Staff morale is high and a shared drive and vision ensures that pupils achieve well from their different starting points. Senior and subject leaders are highly effective in regularly checking standards and the quality of teaching in their areas of responsibility, and bring about improvement. The governing body is very well informed and ensures that it provides the right level of support and challenge.

Governors are committed and ambitious for the future of the school. The quality of teaching, learning and assessment has improved markedly due to robust checks by senior leaders. It is now con...sistently good.

As a result, progress throughout school and in a range of subjects is now good. Teachers do not always challenge pupils enough through the questions they ask or set tasks for the most able pupils that challenge them, especially in mathematics. Pupils' achievement has improved significantly since the last inspection.

The proportions of pupils reaching the expected standards in the phonics check in Year 1 and at the end of key stages 1 and 2 have improved. Pupils make good progress in reading, writing and mathematics. The school's early years provision is outstanding.

High-quality leadership has ensured that teaching is highly effective. As a result, the proportion of pupils reaching a good level of development is above the national average. The school is a calm and orderly environment where pupils work and play harmoniously together.

Behaviour is good. Pupils have positive attitudes to learning and enjoy their lessons. Pupils are adamant that any issues that arise are swiftly dealt with and are very confident that there is an adult they can go to if they have any concerns.

They feel safe in school. The overwhelming majority of parents are highly positive about the school. Typical comments acknowledge the very positive improvements brought about through the change in leadership just before the previous inspection.

Attendance has improved but is below the national average and too many pupils are persistently absent from school. Different groups of pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress because of the effective support they receive.

Information about this school

Etchells Primary School is larger than the average-sized primary school.

The majority of pupils are of White British heritage. About a third of pupils are from minority ethnic groups, the majority of whom are of Pakistani heritage. A quarter of pupils speak English as an additional language.

The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is below the national average but an above-average proportion have a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan. The school has a resourced provision for eight pupils with specific learning needs. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is below the national average.

The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 6. The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. There is a privately run before- and after-school club on site which is inspected separately.